 | |
| Function | Launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Galactic Energy |
| Country of origin | China |
| Cost per launch | US$4.5 million |
| Size | |
| Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) |
| Mass | 33,000 kg (73,000 lb) |
| Stages | 4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to Low Earth orbit | |
| Mass | 400 kg (880 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | Electron, Pegasus, Kuaizhou1A |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | JSLC, and sea-launch platforms in water |
| Total launches | 15 |
| Success(es) | 14 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| Partial failure(s) | 0 |
| First flight | 7 November 2020 |
| Last flight | 29 August 2024 |
| First stage – GS-1 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 588 kilonewtons (132,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 73.9 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage – GS-2 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 274.4 kilonewtons (61,700 lbf) |
| Burn time | 70 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage – GS-3 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 86.24 kilonewtons (19,390 lbf) |
| Burn time | 69 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage – Advanced liquid upper stage | |
| Maximum thrust | 10 kilonewtons (2,200 lbf) |
| Burn time | 600 seconds |
Ceres-1 (Chinese: 谷神星一号; pinyin: Gushenxing-1), is a four-stage rocket manufactured and operated by Galactic Energy, the first three stages use solid-propellant rocket motors and the final stage uses a hydrazine propulsion system. It is about 20 m (62 ft) tall and 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in diameter. It can deliver 400 kg (880 lb) to low Earth orbit or 300 kg (660 lb) to 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit.[1]
The first launch of a Ceres-1 took place at 7 November 2020, successfully placing the Tianqi 11 (also transcribed Tiange, also known as TQ 11, and Scorpio 1, COSPAR 2020-080A) satellite in orbit.[2] The satellite's mass was about 50 kg (110 lb) and its purpose was to function as an experimental satellite offering Internet of things (IoT) communications.[3]
On 5 September 2023, the sea-launched version of the launch vehicle, designated Ceres-1S, made its debut successfully sending to orbit four Tianqi satellites. The launch took place from the DeFu 15002 converted barge (previously used also for launching the Long March 11 launch vehicle) off the coast of Haiyang.[4]
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2023-01-09). "Pair of Chinese launches put classified and commercial satellites into orbit". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2020-11-07). "Chinese rocket firm Galactic Energy succeeds with first orbital launch, secures funding". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ "Tianqi 10, 11, 12". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2023-09-05). "Chinese Ceres-1 rocket reaches orbit with first sea launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.